10691257

Method of Changing Identified Type of Touching Object

PublishedJune 23, 2020
Assigneenot available in USPTO data we have
Technical Abstract

Patent Claims
10 claims

Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.

Claim 1

Original Legal Text

1. A method of changing an identified type of a touching object located on a touch pad, the method comprising following steps: (A) when the type of the touching object is determined as a palm, determining the type of the touching object again; (B) when the type of the touching object is determined as a finger in the step (A), informing the operating system that the touching object has left the touch pad when the touching object does not leave the touch pad; and (C) after the step (B) is performed, informing the operating system that the type of the touching object is a finger.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to touch pad systems and addresses the problem of accurately identifying and handling different types of touching objects, such as fingers and palms, to prevent unintended input. Touch pads often struggle to distinguish between a palm resting on the surface and a finger performing an intentional gesture, leading to false inputs or missed actions. The method improves touch pad functionality by dynamically re-evaluating the type of touching object and adjusting system responses accordingly. When a palm is initially detected, the system rechecks the object type. If the object is later identified as a finger, the system falsely reports to the operating system that the object has left the touch pad, even if it remains in contact. This prevents unintended input from the palm. Subsequently, the system correctly informs the operating system that the touching object is a finger, allowing normal touch interactions to resume. This approach ensures that only intentional finger inputs are processed, enhancing touch pad accuracy and user experience. The method involves continuous monitoring and conditional reporting to the operating system to maintain proper touch input handling.

Claim 2

Original Legal Text

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step (A) comprises following steps: (A1) determining whether the touching object comprises one or more finger features: (A2) adjusting a count value after determining that the touching object has the finger feature in the step (A); and (A3) after the step (A2) is performed, comparing the count value with a threshold value.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to touch-sensitive devices and methods for distinguishing between different types of touching objects, such as fingers versus non-finger objects. The problem addressed is accurately identifying whether a touch input is from a finger or another object, which is important for improving touchscreen functionality and security. The method involves analyzing a touching object to determine if it contains one or more finger features. If finger features are detected, a count value is adjusted. This count value is then compared to a threshold value to determine whether the touching object is a finger. The threshold comparison helps distinguish between finger touches and non-finger touches, such as stylus inputs or accidental contacts. The method ensures that touch-sensitive devices can accurately interpret input sources, enhancing user experience and preventing unintended actions. By dynamically adjusting the count value based on detected finger features and comparing it to a predefined threshold, the system can reliably classify touch inputs, improving the accuracy of touch-based interactions. This approach is particularly useful in applications where distinguishing between different types of touch inputs is critical, such as in mobile devices, tablets, and other touch-sensitive interfaces.

Claim 3

Original Legal Text

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the step (A1) comprises: obtaining a contact area of the touching object on the touch pad; determining that the contact area is smaller than an area threshold; and after the step of determining that the contact area is smaller than the area threshold, performing the step (A2).

Plain English Translation

A method for touch input processing on a touch-sensitive device, such as a touch pad, addresses the challenge of distinguishing between intentional touch inputs and unintentional or erroneous contacts. The method involves detecting a touch event on the touch pad and analyzing the contact area of the touching object. If the contact area is smaller than a predefined area threshold, the system proceeds to execute a specific action, such as rejecting the touch input or triggering a secondary verification step. This approach helps reduce false positives by filtering out small, potentially accidental touches, improving the accuracy and reliability of touch-based interactions. The method may also include additional steps, such as determining the duration or pressure of the touch, to further refine input validation. By dynamically adjusting the area threshold based on contextual factors, the system can adapt to different usage scenarios, ensuring consistent performance across varying conditions. This technique is particularly useful in applications requiring precise touch input, such as touchscreens, touchpads, and other interactive surfaces.

Claim 4

Original Legal Text

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the step (A1) comprises: obtaining a contact area and a hover area of the touching object; determining that a ratio of the hover area to the contact area is smaller than a predetermined ratio; and after the step of determining that the ratio of the hover area to the contact area is smaller than the predetermined ratio, performing the step (A2).

Plain English Translation

A method for touch-sensitive input detection involves analyzing the interaction between a touching object and a touch-sensitive surface to distinguish between different types of touch events. The method addresses the problem of accurately detecting touch inputs while minimizing false positives, such as unintended activations caused by hovering or light contact. The invention focuses on improving touch sensitivity by evaluating the relationship between the contact area and the hover area of the touching object. The method includes obtaining measurements of both the contact area, where the object physically touches the surface, and the hover area, where the object is in close proximity but not in direct contact. A ratio of the hover area to the contact area is calculated and compared to a predetermined threshold. If the ratio is below this threshold, indicating a stable touch with minimal hovering, the system proceeds to execute a predefined action, such as registering a touch input. This step ensures that only intentional touch events are processed, reducing errors from accidental or partial contacts. The method enhances touchscreen reliability by dynamically adjusting sensitivity based on the physical characteristics of the touch interaction.

Claim 5

Original Legal Text

5. The method of claim 2 , wherein the step (A1) comprises: obtaining a moving distance of the touching object; determining that the moving distance is larger than a predetermined distance; and after the step of determining that the moving distance is larger than a predetermined distance, performing the step (A2).

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to touch-sensitive interfaces, specifically methods for detecting and responding to touch gestures. The problem addressed is distinguishing between intentional touch interactions and unintentional or accidental touches, such as those caused by movement or vibration. The solution involves analyzing the movement of a touching object to determine whether a subsequent action should be triggered. The method involves detecting a touch input from an object, such as a finger or stylus, and measuring the distance the object moves while in contact with the touch-sensitive surface. If the measured movement exceeds a predefined threshold distance, the system proceeds to execute a predefined action. This action could include activating a function, navigating a user interface, or initiating a command. The predefined distance threshold ensures that only significant movements, likely representing intentional gestures, trigger the action, while minor movements are ignored. The method may be used in various touch-sensitive devices, including smartphones, tablets, and interactive displays, to improve gesture recognition accuracy and reduce false positives from unintended touches. By filtering out small movements, the system enhances user experience by responding only to deliberate inputs. The invention is particularly useful in environments where devices may be subjected to vibrations or accidental contact.

Claim 6

Original Legal Text

6. A controller, coupled to a touch pad in a computer system with an operating system, comprising: a storage medium, storing multiple commands; and a processor, arranged to execute the multiple commands to make the controller perform following steps: (A) determining the type of the touching object again when the type of a touching object on the touch pad is determined as a palm; (B) when the type of the touching object is determined as a finger in the step (A), informing the operating system that the touching object has left the touch pad when touching object does not leave the touch pad; and (C) after the step (B) is performed, informing the operating system that the type of the touching object is the finger.

Plain English Translation

A controller for a touch pad in a computer system with an operating system improves touch input accuracy by distinguishing between palm and finger touches. The controller includes a storage medium storing multiple commands and a processor executing these commands to perform specific steps. When the controller initially identifies a touching object as a palm, it re-evaluates the object type. If the re-evaluation determines the object is a finger, the controller sends a signal to the operating system indicating the touching object has left the touch pad, even if the object remains in contact. After this signal, the controller informs the operating system that the touching object is a finger. This process prevents unintended palm inputs from interfering with finger-based touch pad operations, ensuring smoother and more accurate touch input handling. The system dynamically adjusts touch recognition to distinguish between palm rests and intentional finger interactions, enhancing user experience by reducing false inputs. The controller's logic ensures the operating system receives corrected touch data, improving touch pad functionality in scenarios where palm contact might otherwise disrupt finger-based commands.

Claim 7

Original Legal Text

7. The controller of claim 6 , wherein the step (A) comprises following steps: (A1) determining whether the touching object comprises one or more finger features: (A2) adjusting a count value after determining that the touching object comprises one or more finger features in the step (A1); and (A3) after the step (A2) is performed, comparing the count value and a threshold value.

Plain English Translation

A touch-sensitive controller is designed to distinguish between different types of touching objects, such as fingers or other objects, to improve touch input accuracy. The controller analyzes touch data to determine whether the touching object includes one or more finger features, such as fingerprints or specific touch patterns. If finger features are detected, the controller adjusts a count value, which is then compared to a predefined threshold. This comparison helps the controller determine whether the touch input should be processed as a valid finger touch or ignored as an unintended contact. The system enhances touchscreen responsiveness by filtering out non-finger touches, such as palm rests or accidental contacts, while ensuring accurate detection of intentional finger inputs. The method involves real-time analysis of touch characteristics to dynamically adjust the count value, improving the reliability of touch-based interactions in electronic devices.

Claim 8

Original Legal Text

8. The controller of claim 7 , wherein the step (A1) comprises: obtaining a contact area of the touching object on the touch pad; determining that the contact area is smaller than an area threshold; and after the step of determining that the contact area is smaller than the area threshold, performing the step (A2).

Plain English Translation

A system for touch-sensitive input detection includes a controller that processes signals from a touch pad to distinguish between different types of touch interactions. The controller analyzes the contact area of a touching object on the touch pad and compares it to a predefined area threshold. If the contact area is smaller than the threshold, the controller triggers a specific action, such as initiating a gesture recognition process or adjusting sensitivity settings. This approach helps differentiate between intentional touch inputs, such as finger taps or stylus interactions, and unintentional or noise-related contacts, improving the accuracy and responsiveness of the touch-sensitive device. The system may also include additional features, such as filtering out small or transient contact areas to reduce false positives. By dynamically adjusting processing steps based on contact area, the controller enhances the reliability of touch input detection in various applications, including mobile devices, touchscreens, and interactive surfaces.

Claim 9

Original Legal Text

9. The controller of claim 7 , wherein the step (A1) comprises: obtaining a contact area and a hover area of the touching object; determining that the ratio of the hover area to the contact area is smaller than a predetermined ratio; and after the step of determining that the ratio of the hover area to the contact area is smaller than a predetermined ratio, performing the step (A2).

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to touch-sensitive interfaces, specifically improving the detection and response to touch inputs. The problem addressed is distinguishing between intentional touch interactions and unintentional or ambiguous touch events, such as when a user hovers or lightly touches a surface without clear intent. The solution involves a controller that analyzes the contact and hover areas of a touching object to determine the user's intent. The controller obtains the contact area (the region where the object is physically touching the surface) and the hover area (the region where the object is close but not touching). It then calculates the ratio of the hover area to the contact area. If this ratio is below a predetermined threshold, the controller proceeds to execute a predefined action, such as registering a touch input or triggering a specific function. This ensures that only deliberate touch interactions are processed, reducing false positives from accidental or unintended touches. The predetermined ratio can be adjusted based on the application, such as distinguishing between a light tap and a firm press. This method enhances the accuracy and responsiveness of touch-sensitive devices, particularly in applications requiring precise input detection.

Claim 10

Original Legal Text

10. The controller of claim 7 , wherein the step (A1) comprises: obtaining a moving distance of the touching object; determining that the moving distance is longer than a predetermined distance; and after the step of determining that the moving distance is longer than the predetermined distance, performing the step (A2).

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to touch-sensitive controllers for electronic devices, specifically addressing the challenge of distinguishing between intentional and unintentional touch inputs. The problem arises when a user's touch or movement on a touch-sensitive surface may trigger unintended actions, such as scrolling or selecting items, due to minor or accidental movements. The invention provides a solution by implementing a controller that filters out such unintended inputs based on movement distance. The controller includes a touch-sensitive surface configured to detect a touching object, such as a finger or stylus, and monitor its movement. The controller performs a process where it first obtains the moving distance of the touching object. If the moving distance exceeds a predetermined threshold, the controller proceeds to execute a predefined action, such as scrolling or selecting. This ensures that only deliberate, significant movements trigger the intended response, while minor or accidental movements are ignored. The predetermined distance threshold can be adjusted based on user preferences or device settings to optimize responsiveness and accuracy. By incorporating this distance-based filtering mechanism, the controller improves the reliability of touch interactions, reducing false activations and enhancing user experience in touch-sensitive devices like smartphones, tablets, and touchscreens. The invention is particularly useful in applications where precise touch control is required, such as graphic design, gaming, or navigation.

Patent Metadata

Filing Date

Unknown

Publication Date

June 23, 2020

Inventors

Tuan-Ying Chang
Hsueh-Wei Yang
Pin-Jung Chung

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METHOD OF CHANGING IDENTIFIED TYPE OF TOUCHING OBJECT